Determinants of girls low enrollment in physics in secondary schools case of kajiado north district, kajiado county, kenya.

Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.4, No.13, 2013
131
Determinants of Girls Low Enrollment in Physics in Secondary
Schools: Case of Kajiado North District, Kajiado County, Kenya.
Boniface Njuguna Mwangi, Gongera Enock George, Ruth Wangui Thinguri
Abstract
Women and girls in Kenya constitute more than 50% of the country’s population (KNBS, 2012). Their full
participation in science and technology at the leadership levels is crucial for realization of Kenya Development
Vision 2030. In view of this, girls low enrollment in physics nationally and in particular Kajiado county, is of
great concern since many of them will be technically not eligible for many university and polytechnic science
courses where physics is a requirement. The purpose of this study was to find out the determinants of girls low
enrollment in physics in Kajiado North district. The study also examined implications of girls’ absence in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to achievement of gender equality and equity in
education and employment by 2015 being one of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The researcher
sampled 12 public and private secondary schools which constitute 30% of all secondary schools in the district.
Eight schools and four girls’ only schools took part in the study. The target population was the head-teachers,
physics’ teachers, form three girls and career guidance counselors. The sample attracted twelve head-teachers,
twelve physics teachers, twelve career counselors and two hundred and forty students. Purposive sampling was
used to get head-teachers and physics teachers. Students were put into two strata (those who enrolled in physics
and those who did not). From each group, ten students were picked using simple random technique. Data was
collected by use of questionnaires, physical facilities checklist and lesson observation guide. Both descriptive
and influential statistics were used to analyze the data, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS
version 11.5). The study revealed that girls attitude towards physics is just positive. However, most schools lack
a particular trained career master. Gender stereotype and peer pressure influenced many girls in science subjects
selection. Physics’ teachers’ lack of support and concern to girls during practical lessons discouraged many girls
to proceed with physics beyond form two. The study recommends that each school should have a fully pledged
career department, managed by a trained career masters. Head-teachers need to take charge and demonstrate
prudent leadership by supervising subjects’ selection exercise as part of curriculum implementation.
Key Words: Girls Low Enrollment In Physics In Secondary Schools, Kajiado County, Kenya
1.0 Background Information
The concern for the poor participation of girls in science and technology was noted in as far back as 1976 when
the National Commission on Education Objectives and Policies reported that, in Kenya the majority of educated
women tended to go into nursing, secretarial, and teaching careers. This committee recommended that this
restrictive trend needed to be evaluated and the desirability of encouraging women to go into other careers be
determined (Gachathi Report, 1976).
The Koech commission report of 1999, noted that science is a vital requirement for industrialization, adding that
a sound technological education and training demands a good science background be provided (Koech, 1999).
The Koech report further observed that since over 50% of Kenyans are women, their inclusion in efforts towards
industrialization is vital. The commission thus recommended that girl’s participation in science be encouraged.
Science and technology also helps developing countries to exploit fully existing techniques as well as to improve
upon those that are not perfectly suited for the prevailing conditions (Chege & Sifuna, 2006). Globally, women
tend to be under-represented in science and technology. This is partly due to choices they make at lower levels in
their school education (Baguma and Muhairwe, 1999). Mwayuli (2008) in a paper presented at the 14th
International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists in France, suggested that Kenya women scientists
and engineers through well coordinated networks should come out strongly to change societal attitudes,
influence policy, mentor and empower young girls to get into science and engineering.
Science and mathematics are the key subjects that are needed for one to advance in the field of technology and
industrialization. Attempts to increase opportunities for women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at secondary and university levels have taken a priority in policy discussions
in Kenya. However, the commitment to translate this priority into action has remained problematic for many
schools as they lack the required human and material resources. In addition, even where such resources are
available for the girls, career information and counseling has remained wanting, thus continuing to mystify the
STEMs, excluding and condemning most girls to a future that lacks adequate scientific and technological
knowledge and skills. This is critical for development, not only of girls but also of the nation (UNESCO, 2009).
Table 1.1 shows enrolment of science subjects in KCSE for 2010-2012 in Kajiado North District.

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Table 1.1: Enrolment of Science Subjects by Gender in Kajiado North District,
2010-2012.
Year Physics Biology Chemistry
Candidature Candidature Candidature
Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys
2010 254 945 878 500 1231 1329
2011 274 958 906 893 1250 1487
2012 280 921 1050 945 1380 1523
Source: Kajiado North District Education Office 2012 KNE Analysis
It is quite evident from table 1.1 that an alarming small number of girls enroll in physics each year. Both girls
and boys enroll in biology and chemistry in large numbers. However without physics their possible chances of
pursuing STEM courses in higher education are greatly narrowed.
According to Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MOEST) (2005), women’s low participation in
technical fields is exacerbated by the admission requirements, which place a strong premium on achievements in
specific science subjects and mathematics.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
The Kenya development vision 2030, envisions an industrialized middle income economy driven by highly
trained and motivated workforce (Ministry of Planning and National Development, 2012). To realize the
envisaged goals, appropriate modern technology must be applied in almost all sectors of economy. It is then
obvious that the technologists expected to charter the way through the seemingly indelible task is the current
boys and girls in our secondary schools.
It is therefore puzzling that when the country is geared for rapid technological growth, secondary school girl’s
enrolment in physics remains alarmingly very low in Kajiado North District. If the issue of gender career
stereotyping and biased choice of science subjects is not addressed objectively and with seriousness it deserves,
opportunities that would otherwise been available for female students to advance academically will become
foreclosed. This in the end will make it difficult for Kenya to achieve the MDG goal of gender equity and
equality not only in education but also in employment by 2015, hence the need for this study.
1.2 Objectives of the Study
The study was anchored on the following objectives:-
a) To determine girls attitude towards physics
b) To find out the status of career guidance and counseling services in secondary schools and its influence on
girls’ choice of physics
c) To examine the role played by the school administration in students during subjects’ selection
d) To determine teacher related factors influencing girls’ choice of physics
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Women and Technology Development
Women in Africa constitute more than 50 % of the continents’ population (UNESCO, 2010). Thus, their full
participation in science and technology at the leadership and research levels is crucial for the rapid
industrialization of the continent. This goal can only be achieved if girls embrace and excel in subjects, which
will eventually enable them engage in science and technology. The First African Union Conference of African
Women in Science and Technology was convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) in Johannesburg,
Republic of South Africa in August 2007. The meeting noted that in Africa, 50% of the population are women
and are seriously underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering fields and yet they are a resource
that could contribute towards the social and economic development of the continent through participating in
science and technology programmes (AUC, 2007).
Apart from mathematics that is compulsory to all secondary school students in Kenya, physics knowledge is
proving to be of invaluable applications in the wake of modern gadgets such as computers, electric heaters,
juicers, hairdressers and hot water systems in bathrooms to sexual gratification gadgets. Many people have been
reported killed in kitchen and bathrooms due to electrocutions. Thus, it is imperative that all people, if possible
should be equipped with the physics knowledge. According to UNESCO (2009), many women fail to participate
in science and technology, fail to take sciences courses such as engineering due to inadequate knowledge and
confidence in mathematics and physics among other reasons.
2.2 Career Guidance and Counseling
Guidance and counseling programme is one of the most important components of the school curricular activities.
According to Handbook for Schools Guidance Counsellors (MOE, 2007), guidance is a process through which
the individual is helped to develop his mental abilities, aptitudes, interests and personal dynamics. Counselling

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on the other hand is a process of the relationship between a counselor and a client or counselee with a view of
helping the counselee to understand his or her problems in relation to his or her thoughts, feelings and behaviour
in order to make informed choices of action.
The Koech Report (1999) noted that Kenyan institutions of learning have failed to inculcate positive attitude
towards work, and recommended a redesigning of the institutions approach with a view of improving this
situation compounding to the overall problem of unemployment, laxity and poor performance in both public and
private sectors in the country. Lack of professionalism and non-adherence to professional ethics are widespread
in the Kenyan workforce. A scrutiny into this situation gives indication that there may be an underlying
fundamental problem of lack of proper vocational or career guidance and counseling. Makinde (1984), points out
that guidance and counseling in Africa will bear fruits only if it focuses on educational, vocational and career
planning skills, among other things.
In order for career guidance and counseling to make a significant contribution, it must impart a significant high
level of career awareness, which will lead to appropriate career planning and decision making. Luzzo, James and
Luna (1996), found that students who received an attributional retraining treatment exhibited significant changes
in their career beliefs and career exploration behaviours. Hence, career guidance and counseling leads to a
deeper and wider understanding of ones personality and world of careers.
In today’s world, youth are at crossroads educationally, socially, economically, and in relation to work. There are
many challenges facing them in the society and this complexity requires proper guidance (Mutie & Ndambuki,
1999). These prevailing challenges are educational, cultural, economic and personal in nature. In addition,
globalization and the continued rising of competitiveness are major challenges for the youth today. As such,
provision of guidance in educational institutions is a vital tool that students can use to sort out and order their
views and decisions about their intended careers.
In her study on the effect of guidance and counseling on students’ academic achievement, Mmbone (2008),
found that just as much as counseling has positive effects on the area of academic performance, it was also found
to help the learners in choosing their careers, improves students’ discipline and curbs students’ unrest in schools.
An effective career counselor should read widely to keep abreast with the constantly changing career, labour and
employment sub sector. For instance a career counselor should be able to comprehensively explain how the
various cluster subjects will determine the courses students can take at university level.
2.3 Girls Participation in Science
Some people (including some feminists) argue that science, as taught today, is a dehumanizing activity and that
girls’ benefit from choosing arts subjects, which allow for greater personal growth (Potter, 2006). Others suggest
that society needs diversity, with a clear distinction between male and female, and that effort to reduce sex
differentials are misguided (Scott, 1991).
However, all these views are subject to discussion. Many people do agree that the case for encouraging girls into
physical science especially physics need to be argued. According to Baguma and Muhairwe (1999), this can be
done in several distinct ways. The first is to stress the restrictions, which sex stereotypes place on an individual.
If children’s choice are limited by what they themselves consider to be suitable for girls or boys, what their
teachers, parents, peers or employers consider to be suitable, then they are not able to develop their potential in
the full. Stereotyping reduces liberty and consequently growth and development. Both the individuals concerned
and the society as a whole loose from the restrictions of talent. Relevance is reported in terms of usefulness
either to daily life or to students’ goals. The evidence from surveys indicates that both boys and girls (but more
girls than boys), across the ages of secondary schooling, consider that the physical sciences are not personally
relevant, in contrast with their views of biology. According to (Lyons, 2004), there is some evidence, that a
minority of students, predominantly boys, are content with the abstract nature of physics and study it for its
extrinsic value in securing a career or gaining them more knowledge about the world.
Personal frameworks of relevance inform what we pay attention to and the connections that we make between
new meaning and established meanings, and research evidence shows that there is an important gender
dimension to this. If physics is presented in the context of abstract school activities, then many students have to
make their own bridges to relevance in order to create personal meaning in school tasks. Failure to be able to
make these bridges is more problematic for girls than for boys (Krogh & Thomsen, 2005).
According to Murphy and Whitelegg (2006), early interventions in the science curriculum to increase girls’
access can be understood as attempts to address the outcomes of differential views of relevance. Girls were seen
to have “missed opportunities” to learn and develop skills and knowledge relevant to science because, typically,
compared with boys they engaged in different activities outside school and avoided activities in school that they
were unfamiliar with. The current study aimed at investigating whether girls are able to make the necessary
bridges in their abstract thinking by observing the way they conducted physics practical in the laboratory. To
achieve this, the researcher used laboratory lesson observation guide.

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2.4 Girls Career Aspirations and Gender Career Stereotyping.
Aspiration is a goal that an individual sets for himself in a task that has intense personal significance for him. It
refers to a person’s orientation towards a goal (Stokking, 2000). During adolescence, individuals begin to plan
for their future career by considering a number of occupational choices. Counselors, parents, and educators may
be better able to assist adolescents in their exploration of occupational options, help them seek career-related
information, and obtain support for their career plans by developing a greater understanding of adolescents’
occupational aspirations. Tinklin, et al& (2005), observed that in spite of their increasing numbers, women have
tended to enter the workforce in lower-status, lower-paying jobs, and remain clustered in a limited number of
conventional careers. Low-paying traditionally female careers, including administrative support, sales, service,
nursing, teaching, social work, and clerical jobs, reflected society's persistent attitudes regarding stereotypical
occupational roles for males and females.
The information that young people receive about possible careers will influence their decision-making. However,
there is some evidence that the information young people receive is not necessarily up to-date or realistic. A
study by Francis (2002) of 14-16 year olds in London found both boys and girls had little knowledge about the
adult workplace and the qualifications required for particular careers. She found careers guidance was often
provided by teachers who did not have accurate knowledge of the employment market or information about
particular careers. The major labour market changes of the past 20 years do not appear to have filtered down to
young people.
Semple, Howieson, & Paris (2002), also found that the accuracy of the information provided informal networks
was sometimes questionable in a rapidly changing labour market. The informal network, usually parents, also
had an impact on young people’s choices in other ways. This is an important source of encouragement and
motivation to young people and can sometimes raise expectations to make the most of opportunities. This
network can also provide practical assistance in terms of information, help with forms, and contacts in the
occupation being considered by the young person. These informal interventions were on the whole fairly positive
for young people, but not all individuals had the same level of access to support and information provided may
not always be accurate.
2.5 Students’ Interest, Motivation and Attitude towards Physics
Murphy and Whitelegg (2006), contends that the key determinants of students’ attitudes to physics are: how
students see themselves in relation to the subject, both now and in the future: their “physics self-concept”; their
experience of school physics and a personally supportive physics teacher. Students, even if they are interested in
the subject, need to feel that they can do physics and this may be more significant for girls than for boys. Studies
have found that for some girls, as they continued with their study of physics, their self-concept in relation to it
declined (Reid & Skryabina, 2002).
Musyoka (2000) found that the majority of the students who were not taking physics were scared by its
quantitative nature and its being too abstract especially when it is taught theoretically. He recommended a
change in the approach to teaching of physics and proper curriculum guidance in schools. He further noted that
to maintain girls’ and boys’ interest and motivation to study physics it is important that they experience
themselves as competent in the subject. Teachers need to monitor students’ views of themselves as competent
learners of physics. Students need to feel that they can do physics if they are to decide to continue to study it, and
this is particularly true for girls.
2.6 Teachers’ Role in Encouraging Girls to do Physics
Teachers have a special role in controlling all the instruction and learning environment in the classroom.
Teachers’ attitude and behaviour in relation to science and technology are important influences on the attitude of
girls. In recognition of the role of teacher in effective teaching, Kelly (1987), warned, “Teachers should not
assume that methods which are successful with boys will be automatically be successful with girls but should be
sensitive to sex differences in interpersonal relationship (p.87)”. Murphy and Whitelegg (2006) in a study to
identify the strategies that have succeeded in increasing the number of girls studying physics post 16 years in
United Kingdom, noted that all students require support from teachers but, in physics, where some girls have a
less positive self concept, it is much more important for them to receive support. Further, they found that boys
tend to find male teachers more helpful and understanding than girls find teachers of either sex.
Teachers’ behaviours and attitudes are a key influence on student attitude, motivation, achievement and
continuing participation (Labudde, 2000). Lee (2002) in a US study of 340 students in summer science,
mathematics and engineering programmes, found that the quality of relationships to significant others was an
important influence on female students’ choice of subjects. This is in line with Krogh and Thomsen’s (2005)
findings that personal teacher support was a key predictor of attitudes to physics. If teachers are detached or
uncaring and friends do not discuss science this will particularly affect girls’ choices as they move to college.
Most of studies done in Kenya on teacher related effects towards students’ attitude, achievement, motivation and
participation in physics, are in agreement with the other studies already considered. Kinaiya (2008)

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recommended that teachers should teach physics using different strategies like field trips, projects,
demonstrations, model constructions, class experiments and group experts to develop curiosity in the learners.
Munguti (2004) found that the physics teachers’ characteristics such as speed of talking, comments made to
students in class and style of teaching sometimes put girls off such that some eventually drop the subject.
Wambua (2007) recommended that physics teachers need to also know the attitudes of their students toward the
subject especially in form one and two. In addition, they should strive to create a positive attitude in the students
towards the subject.
2.7 School Administration Influence in Science Subjects Choices
The school head teacher, deputy head teacher, head of academic department and the career counselor are
expected to play a major role during the subjects selection exercise. The head teacher is in charge of all that goes
on in the school ranging from human resource management, financial management to curriculum
implementation (Mbiti, 2007). He or she interprets the policy on behalf of the ministry of Education, executes
curriculum programmes, ensures provision of equipment, physical facilities and maintains effective school
community relations.
The quality of administration determines the level of success in the implementation of the curriculum. Through
delegation of duties the head teacher empowers various departments to effectively accomplish the school goals
and objectives. In many schools the academic department is mandated to conduct the form three students’
subjects’ selection exercise after ensuring that the curriculum requirements have been understood by all students.
However a number of past research studies revealed that this is one of the areas that students are not fully
involved but rather hurriedly coerced into subjects choices that may not enable them to join the aspired careers.
For example Musyoka (2000), found that some students who had dropped physics, expected to pursue courses
such as geology, meteorology, biomedical engineering, dental surgery, survey engineering and many others
which required a good physics grade in KSCE.
A study by Muli (2005) on the effects of head-teachers’ management styles on performance in physics in Kitui
district, found that performance in physics, indirectly depends on the management styles of the head teachers and
is highly affected by their management characteristics such as acquisition of text books, equipments, qualified
teachers, proper guidance and counseling to change the attitude towards the subject and poor motivation of
teachers.
2.8 Summary
The reviewed literature highlighted the global recognition of the immense potential input in social and economic
development by women through science and technology. Gender equity has been of great concern since 1990s,
after it was realized that for meaningful rapid development in all sectors to be achieved, all people in the country
must be actively involved. The literature has fore grounded that although deliberate efforts to reduce the
underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM has been made, a notable disparity still persists and more so in
developing countries.
The researcher identified several knowledge gaps that needed to be filled through investigation. There was little
evidence on studies done targeting the effect of school administrators’ leadership on girls’ enrolment in physics.
Studies done on effectiveness of career guidance and counseling in schools were general in nature and did not
particularly tackle the career guidance effect on girls’ enrolment in physics and other science subjects.
Studies on physics teachers’ effect on girls’ enrolment mainly collected data through questionnaires and none
used both classroom and laboratory observation guide. As a result they lacked the full benefit of triangulation.
Though a physics teacher might be very effective and very supportive to students in classroom, his or her level
of support and effectiveness might be very different during a practical lesson. A research study to investigate
these factors was therefore needed.
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. According to Fraenkel and Wallen (2000) and
McMillan (1991), cross-sectional descriptive survey collects information from a sample that has been drawn
from a predetermined population at one time. This reduces threats to internal validity of the study that may arise
from factors such as history. The research design is chosen because the researcher only intends to gather data on
existing state of affairs in target population without manipulating any variables (Kombo &Tromp, 2006). Gall,
Borg & Gall (1996), noted that descriptive survey research is intended to produce statistical information about
aspects of education that interest policy makers and other stake holders. The target population was the head
teachers, physics’ teachers, form three girls and career guidance counselors. The sample attracted twelve head
teachers, twelve physics teachers, twelve career counselors and two hundred and forty students. Purposive
sampling was used to get head teachers and physics teachers. Students were put into two strata (those who
enrolled in physics and those who did not). From each group, ten students were picked using simple random
technique. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, physical facilities checklist and lesson observation guide.

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Both descriptive and influential statistics were used to analyze the data, using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS version 11.5).
4.0 RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction
The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of girls’ low enrollment in physics and their
implications to gender equity in Kajiado North district, Kajiado County. To achieve this objective, salient areas
were examined in relation to impediments leading to girls’ low enrollment in physics namely: girls attitude
towards physics, status of career guidance in secondary schools, the role of school administration and physics
teachers in influencing girls enrollment in physics. This section presents the findings and discussion in relation to
the objectives of the study.
4.2 Girls Attitude towards Physics
The researcher sought to find out if an attitude of the girls towards physics was a factor that has led to low
enrolment in the subject. Information on attitudes was gathered from girls who chose to continue with physics
and those who dropped and thus enabling the researcher to capture the general overview of girls’ attitude
towards physics as a subject and its allied careers. The researcher used a five point likert attitude scale to get
information on girls’ attitude towards physics. Each attitude statement was analyzed and the summary is as
shown in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Summary of Girls Attitudes towards Physics
The responses were coded on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is a code for (Strongly Agree); 2 for (Agree); 3 for
(Undecided); 4 for (Undecided); and 5 for (Strongly Disagree). The questionnaire attitude statements were
constructed in such a way that if a computed mean response code for an item:
a) fell between 1 and 2, then a strong positive attitude is inferred
b) fell between 2 and 3, then an attitude that is just positive is inferred
c) fell on 3, then a neutral attitude is inferred
d) fell between 3 and 4, then an attitude is just negative
e) fell between 4 and 5, then a strong negative attitude is inferred
From table 4.1, all the means for all attitude statements fell between 2 and 3 giving an overall mean of 2.37 and
standard deviation of 1.272. This showed that girls had a just positive attitude towards physics. Therefore, girls’
low enrolment in physics was largely not due to their attitude but rather to some other factors. This finding was
in disharmony with Musyoka (2000) who found that girls attitude towards physics was generally negative. The
change of attitude by girls towards physics can be attributed to the government’s several changes of the
curriculum. Since year 2000, several topics have been removed from the physics syllabus, numerical calculations
reduced and new gender sensitive textbooks have been published. Physics teachers, head teachers and other stake
holders should now seize the opportunity and utilize the girls’ positive attitude to enroll more girls in physics.
Null hypothesis one was designed to determine whether there was significant difference between the girls mean
attitude towards physics when categorized by type of schools attended (i.e. co-educational or girls’ only schools).

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The researcher wanted to know whether the differences such as provision of physical facilities, students’ entry
behaviour, and teacher characteristics that existed in the two categories of schools had any significant influence
on girls’ attitude towards physics.
The hypothesis was tested by use of independent samples T-test. This test was preferred because the two groups
were randomly drawn from normally distributed and independent samples of girls from co-educational and
single sex girls’ only schools. Table 4.2 shows the independent samples T-test output.
Table 4.2 Independent Samples T-test of Girls Mean Attitude Scores towards Physics when Categorized
by Type of School
Table 4.2 shows that the result was statistically significant (t = -2.386, p<0.05). A sig. (p-value) of 0.018 meant
there was some evidence against the null hypothesis. The researcher therefore, rejected the null hypothesis and
concluded that there was a statistically significant difference in mean attitude scores for girls in girls’ only
schools and mean scores for girls in co-educational schools.
Girls in single sex schools were more positive towards physics possibly because they scored higher marks in
physics, had well equipped laboratories, their teachers were found to be more supportive and above all they had
a provision of doing all science subjects.
4.3 Availability and Effectiveness of Career Guidance and Counseling Services
Ndungu (2007) asserted that there is a need to focus on the status of career guidance and counseling at secondary
school level with a view of assessing how students make subjects choices and career choices. Globalization and
continued rising of competitiveness are major challenges for the youth today. As such, provision of career
guidance in educational institutions is a vital tool that students can use to sort out and order their views and
decisions about the intended careers.
In order to establish the students’ awareness of career guidance in their schools, the researcher asked several
questions. Table 4.3 shows the students responses.
Table 4.3 Students awareness of career guidance in their Schools
A large number of students represented by 60 % said they have career guidance and counseling services in their
schools. The other 40 % of the students’ response meant that either they were not aware of existence of career
guidance or there was none in their schools. According to the analyzed data gathered from head teachers, all the
twelve schools visited by the researcher had active general guidance and counseling departments but only three
had a separate department for specifically career guidance and counseling. In each of the other nine schools, the
career counselor had no established programme or was the same person in charge of the general guidance and
counseling department in the school.
Mmbone (2008) found that when career, spiritual, and students’ psychological issues are handled by the same
person and are under the same department, students tend to seek assistance mostly on issues such as sexual
relationships, adolescence maladjustment, conflicts in certain faith, and family problems. Very few students visit
the counselor to be guided on academic and career matters. Thus, in order for the students to benefit fully from
career guidance services in the school, it is important to establish a distinct department which should specialize
in career issues and also take the centre stage in guiding students on subjects’ selection in form two.
Despite the fact that all the twelve schools had career counselors, when students were asked whether they knew
the career master in their schools, the responses indicated that 56.7 % of the students did not know their career
counselors. This implied that although some students were aware of the presence of career guidance and

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counseling services, they did not know the teacher in charge. Further, it can be deduced that there are no forum
in such schools where career issues are discussed and above all students’ career consultation is non existent. This
state of inactivity in career guidance and counseling department in many schools was further confirmed by 71.7 %
of students’ respondents who said they had never consulted the school counselor on career issues.
4.4 School Administrators influence on girls’ enrolment in physics
This study sought to find out the role played by the school administration which influences girls’ enrolment in
physics. This influence may be positive or negative. The research mainly focused on the head-teacher as the
chief school administrator and the academic master or the dean of studies in a school. These are the other two
people apart from the career counselor and the physics teacher who may directly have influence on the students’
enrolment in physics.
The head teacher as the school chief executive is responsible for the smooth running of all departments in a bid
to implement the curriculum as specified by the Ministry of Education. Since the main output is measured in
terms of the number of students who attains the pass mark of grade C+ and above, then the effectiveness of the
school academic programme takes precedence of all the other programmes. The head teacher must ensure that
students are taught, textbooks and other learning facilities are adequate and students are motivated to learn. This
can only be realized through supervision of both teachers and students. According to KIE (2005), one of the
most important areas in secondary schools curriculum implementation is the subjects’ selection in form three as
per the MOE revised curriculum circular of 2002. According to the circular, students are supposed to be guided
on how to select and then pick the subjects of their interest. Owing to their busy schedules many head teachers
have delegated this important task to heads of schools academic departments.
In order to find out whether the manner in which subjects’ selection exercise was done had an influence on
physics enrolment, students, teachers and head teachers were required to respond to the statement that students’
subjects’ selection was free and fair. Table 4.4 shows their varied responses.
Table 4.4 Students, Teachers and Head-teachers Responses on students’ Choice of Subjects being Free
and Fair.
It is quite evident from Table 4.4 that majority of head-teachers considered the manner in which the students’
subjects section exercise was done as completely free and fair. Fifty percent of them strongly agreed while 33.3%
agreed to the statement. Only two head-teachers were none committal. Conversely, students and teachers
responses did not rate the subjects’ selection so highly. Only four teachers found the selection exercise as free
and fair, five teachers were undecided, two teachers disagreed while one teacher strongly disagreed. Thus, eight
teachers did not term the exercise as free and fair and therefore casting aspersions into head-teachers honesty. It
is possible that the five teachers who remained undecided had conflicts in making the decision since they felt as
an act of betrayal to their seniors if they disagreed that the selection exercise was free and fair.
The students’ response was almost divided equally between those who found the subjects’ selection free and fair
and those who did not. By considering the number of students who disagreed and the undecided comprising
53.4 %, it could then be deduced that there is an urgent need for the head-teachers to find out why so many
teachers and students are dissatisfied with the way subjects selection was done.
A null hypothesis was designed to test whether there was significant relationship between head-teachers teaching
subjects and competence in guiding students in science subjects’ selection. The study sought to establish whether
head-teachers who were trained to teach science subjects were better placed to guide and counsel students on
how best to select and combine the science subjects than head-teachers who were not trained to teach science
subjects. The null hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square of independence. This method was found appropriate
because it is a statistical technique that attempts to establish relationship between two variables both of which are
categorical in nature.
The three levels of competence to which the head-teachers responded were excellent, just competent and
slightly competent. The level of being excellent meant that the person had up to date skills and knowledge about
different science oriented courses and careers, and the dynamics in the job market. Table 4.5 presents the results

Vol.4, No.13, 2013
139
of cross tabulation of head-teachers teaching field and their own rating of competence in guiding students in
science subjects’ selection.
Table 4.5 Cross Tabulation of Head teachers Teaching Subjects and the level of Competence in Guiding
Students in Science Subjects Selection
Table 4.15 shows that two head teachers who were trained to teach science subjects rated themselves as excellent
in having knowledge and skills of guiding students in science subjects’ selection while two were just competent,
and one slightly competent. On the other hand, three head teachers who trained in arts subjects also rated
themselves as excellent, four as just competent and two as slightly competent in possessing knowledge and skills
in guiding students in selecting science subjects in line with their aspired careers. Conducting a Chi-Square test
of independence would tell us if the observed pattern is statistically different from the pattern expected due to
chance. Table 4.6 shows the output of Chi-Square test.
Table 4.6 Chi-Square Test of Independence in Head-teachers Teaching Subjects and Level of Competence
in Guiding Students in Science Subjects Selection.
The small Chi-Square statistic (0.900) and its high significance level of 0.627 (p > 0.05), indicated that there was
no evidence against the null hypothesis. Therefore, the researcher concluded that there was no relationship
between head-teachers teaching subjects and their level of competence in guiding students in science subjects’
selection. This implied that all head-teachers regardless of teaching subjects should endeavour to acquire the
relevant information and skills to enable them to guide and counsel students how to select subjects appropriately
in line with their aspired careers. It means they have to spend funds on acquiring the most current pamphlets on
careers, magazines, provision for accessing internet and attending career fairs.
4.5 Physics Teachers’ Influence on Girls Enrollment in Physics
Teachers’ behaviours and attitudes are a key influence on a student attitude, motivation, achievement and
continuing participation (Labudde, 2000). Krogh and Thomsen’s (2005) found that in physics, girls’
relationships with their teachers are more significant for their learning than are boys’ relationships with teachers.
Therefore, based on these important findings, the researcher sought information about physics teachers influence
on girls’ enrolment in physics in Kajiado North District.
Apart from having a positive attitude towards girls in physics, physics teachers need to be more innovative and
effective in subject matter delivery in order to capture and retain interest of many girls. One of the key
determinants of students’ attitudes to physics is their experience of school physics (Sharp, 2004). In cognizance
of this fact, the researcher observed several physics practical sessions and came up with the following findings:
a) In a practical lesson teachers are expected to introduce the session formally. In doing so they link the
practical with theoretical work that he or she might have taught in class. However, it was noted that
most of the teachers did not introduce the session formally but just gave the laboratory assistance the
practical instructions handouts to pass them to the students.
b) Some apparatus were not put on the practical bench and students kept requesting the laboratory
assistance to avail them, thus, wasting a lot of time.
c) Students were required to be in groups of four but some groups were clouded with Six to ten students
where one student was handling the apparatus provided while others watched.
d) In most cases, the physics teacher was in the preparation room chatting with the laboratory assistance
or outside the laboratory.
e) In mixed schools, boys dominated in handling apparatus while some students were discussing other
issues unrelated to the practical being conducted.
These findings indicated that the way physics practical were conducted was neither interesting nor motivating at

Journal of Education and Practice
Vol.4, No.13, 2013
all and students especially girls were most likely be less eager to continue with physic
finding was further affirmed by the students’ response when they were asked to indicate the practical sessions
that they enjoyed the most in forms one and two giving reasons. Figure 4.1 shows their responses.
Figure 4.7 Girls Response on the Practical Sessions they enjoyed most in Forms One and Two
The girls’ response made it clear that physics practical were the least enjoyed. Most of the students about 45.8 %
(110) enjoyed biology the most, followed by chemistry with 40 % (96) whi
physics the most. Physics practical lessons observation revealed that most of the physics teachers did not accord
their students the necessary assistance. They assumed that because most of physics practical do not involve
dangerous chemicals and heating, students close supervision was not necessary. Students spent a lot of time
trying to link the practical with the leant theory, looking for missing apparatus and tying to find their way
through the disorganized laboratory. W
apparatus and although she may still compile the results correctly, the feeling of not being able to handle
apparatus on her own may prompt her not to continue with the subject. Though
read instructions, interpret and conduct experiment on their own, long absence of their teacher is perceived by
students as an act of being unconcerned and unfriendly to them.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions
The main aim of the study was to find out the determinants of girls’ low enrollment in physics in Kajiado North
district secondary schools. Based on the findings from this study, the following conclusions were made:
a) Girls’ attitude towards physics is positive. However girls in single sex schools were found to be slightly more
positive than girls in mixed schools and hence likely to choose physics oriented career.
b) There was statistical difference in mean attitude scores towards physics for g
girls in single sex girls schools (t=-
support and concern accorded by teachers from these two categories of schools. Physics teachers in mixed
schools were found to be more impressed by boys who most often scored higher marks in physics and
mathematics than girls. They had also higher expectations in the boys to make their subjects to shine in the
KCSE examination.
c) Most secondary schools have no programme on career guidance and counseling. This implies that career
guidance is just an afterthought and is done only during students subjects selection exercise.
d) Majority of career counselors have very scanty knowledge on the current trends in jo
associated with different science subjects’ combinations, the remuneration expected in various careers and the
working conditions and terms of employment in different careers.
e) All the head teachers’ respondents accepted that there is n
physics. They further affirmed that low girls enrolment in physics will definitely jeopardize one of MDGs of
achieving gender equity and equality at all educational levels and employment by 2015
f) Most head teachers have apathy towards students’ subjects’ selection and career issues. Further, head teachers’
competence in guiding students on science subjects selection has no relationship with the subjects they were
trained to teach (Pearson Chi-Square=.900, df=
40%
Journal of Education and Practice
288X (Online)
140
all and students especially girls were most likely be less eager to continue with physics beyond form two. The
e on the Practical Sessions they enjoyed most in Forms One and Two
(110) enjoyed biology the most, followed by chemistry with 40 % (96) while only about 14.2 % (34) enjoyed
Physics practical lessons observation revealed that most of the physics teachers did not accord
through the disorganized laboratory. When students crowd in one place, most of them fail to handle the given
apparatus on her own may prompt her not to continue with the subject. Though it is important to train students to
students as an act of being unconcerned and unfriendly to them.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
district secondary schools. Based on the findings from this study, the following conclusions were made:
ysics is positive. However girls in single sex schools were found to be slightly more
positive than girls in mixed schools and hence likely to choose physics oriented career.
b) There was statistical difference in mean attitude scores towards physics for girls in co-educational schools and
-2.386, p<0.05). . This difference could partly be explained by the extent of
chools were found to be more impressed by boys who most often scored higher marks in physics and
no programme on career guidance and counseling. This implies that career
d) Majority of career counselors have very scanty knowledge on the current trends in jo
working conditions and terms of employment in different careers.
e) All the head teachers’ respondents accepted that there is need for concern due to low girls’ enrolment in
achieving gender equity and equality at all educational levels and employment by 2015
eachers have apathy towards students’ subjects’ selection and career issues. Further, head teachers’
Square=.900, df=2, p>0.05)
46%
14%
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
PHYSICS
www.iiste.org
s beyond form two. The
e on the Practical Sessions they enjoyed most in Forms One and Two
le only about 14.2 % (34) enjoyed
Physics practical lessons observation revealed that most of the physics teachers did not accord
hen students crowd in one place, most of them fail to handle the given
it is important to train students to
district secondary schools. Based on the findings from this study, the following conclusions were made:-
ysics is positive. However girls in single sex schools were found to be slightly more
educational schools and
2.386, p<0.05). . This difference could partly be explained by the extent of
chools were found to be more impressed by boys who most often scored higher marks in physics and
no programme on career guidance and counseling. This implies that career
d) Majority of career counselors have very scanty knowledge on the current trends in job market, careers
eed for concern due to low girls’ enrolment in
eachers have apathy towards students’ subjects’ selection and career issues. Further, head teachers’
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
PHYSICS

Vol.4, No.13, 2013
141
g) Most of physics teachers are not supportive to students during practical sessions. In mixed schools boys
dominated in handling apparatus.
5.2 Recommendations
Guided by the findings of the study, the researcher recommended the following:-
i) In order to cultivate more positive attitude in girls towards physics, physics teachers should be gender sensitive
and use teaching methods and strategies tailored to specifically encourage more girls to continue with physics
but at the same time not to discourage boys. Physics teachers should show concern and be physically present
during physics practical to enable girls to fully participate, grasp and conceptualize both concrete and abstract
concepts.
ii) To reduce the effect of peer influence and the deeply embedded gender career stereotyping on science
subjects selection, students should be exposed to a lot of information about different courses and the associated
careers. This can only be achieved by strengthening the school career department.
iii) Head teachers as the chief school administrators need to take charge and demonstrate prudent leadership by
supervising subjects’ selection exercise as one of the most important part of curriculum implementation.
Through supervision they would witness the thorny issues that are oppressive to students.
iv) The Ministry of Education through Quality Assurance and Standards Officers should monitor the way
subjects’ selection is done in schools to ensure that students’ rights are not violated.
5.3 Suggestions for further Research
Though each student must enroll in at least two science subjects in secondary education, the numbers girls
pursuing science courses in higher education is still low. Therefore the researcher recommends a study to be
undertaken to unearth determinants of low enrollment in undergraduate science and technology courses.
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